Bulk Herb Store

Herbs: Diatomaceous Earth (Fossil Shell Flour)

Origin: USA

Diatomaceaous Earth

Also called Fossil Shell Flour, has many health benefits. Diatomaceous earth consists of diatoms, a type hard-shelled algae which is a fossilized deposit of microscopic shells created by one celled plants called Diatoms. These plants inhabit all the waters of the earth, and serve as the basic food for aquatic life, just as grass is the basic food for land animals. Some of these deposits, shifted to dry land, are extremely important to humans.
Diatomaceaous Earth is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It has a particle size ranging from less than 1 micrometre to more than 1 millimetre, but typically 10 to 200 micrometres. This powder has an abrasive feel, similar to pumice powder, and is very light as a result of its high porosity.
It is used as a filtration aid, mild abrasive, mechanical insecticide, and because of its high silicon content, fossil shell flour is known for strengthening the nails, hair and teeth.
Diatomaceaous Earth is used as an insecticide, due to its physico-sorptive properties. The fine powder absorbs lipids from the waxy outer layer of insects' exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate. Arthropods die as a result of the water pressure deficiency, based on Fick's law of diffusion. This also works against gastropods and is commonly employed in gardening to defeat slugs. It can also be used to help control and eventually eliminate cockroach and flea infestations and has wide application for insect control in grain storage. It has also been used to control bedbug infestations, but this method may take weeks to work.
100% pure food grade Diatomaceous Earth from a fresh water source is 100% NON-TOXIC and FDA approved for internal and external use and has a rating of Food Codex Grade.

Diatomaceaous Earth suggested feeding instructions below . Adjustments may be made based on your own experience and the weight of the animal.

Guidelines:

Humans 1 heaping teaspoon stirred in cup of water, mixed in food or in anything you like.
Children 1/2 to 1 level teaspoon per day.

Kittens 1/2 teaspoon
Cats 1/2 to 1 teaspoon

Puppies 1/2 to 1 teaspoon
Dogs under 50 lbs. 2 teaspoons
Dogs over 50 lbs. 1 tablespoon
Dogs over 100 lbs. 2 tablespoons

Cattle 2% by weight of dry ration
Calves 4 grams in morning
Dairy Cows 2% by weight of dry ration (4 oz. )

Chickens 5% in feed, also add to dusting boxes

Goats 1% to 2% in grain

Hogs 2% of weight in feed ration

Horses 1/2 - 1 cup in daily ration

Sheep 1% to 2% in ground grain

For effective use, the Diatomaceaous Earth must be fed long enough to catch all the newly hatching eggs or cycling through the lungs and back to the stomach. A minimum of 60 days is suggested at 2% of dry weight of the grain ration. It doesn't have to be exact. More will not be harmful, but less may not give you the results expected.

For large animals, it may also be offered "free choice" as long as dispenser is protected from wind. Use on beddings, rub into fur and mix in with salt and or minerals for livestock

Diatomaceous Earth will not harm warm-blooded animals or earthworms. Earthworm farmers use it to treat their worm beds for parasites, fungus gnat larva etc. Earth worms are structurally different from insects in that they can actually digest particles of DE. The particles are then eliminated in their castings.

What veterinarians, researchers, integrated pest management, and users of quality Diatomaceaous Earth report:
• Improved digestion for all mammals. Absorbs viruses and bacteria-passes them for the body.
• Improves bone structure
• Gives hair more body and shiny appearance
• Absorbent -useful for spill clean-up. The U.S. Center for Disease Control recommends it to clean up toxic liquid spills.
• Beneficial as a soil additive-safe for earthworms
• Reduce fly hatch. Keeps fly larvae from developing in manure, noticeably reducing the fly population
• Stop animals from licking holes, chewing fence posts. Cows from eating dirt.
• With feed for chickens and turkeys - makes shells harder, reduced mortality rate, reduce odors, dries droppings quickly, reduces fly hatch.
• As a barrier against slugs and snails.
• To remove odors – shake on manure, urine, vomit, or spills to absorb odors and moisture
• Reduces moisture and odors in barns, stalls, coops, kennel, litter boxes, compost piles, and other moist areas.
• In Europe and Asia this product is used extensively as a health and beauty product for hair, skin, nails, bones, and joints.
• As a feed additive for all mammals: reduce the smell of manure, reduce fly hatch, It is believed to remove viruses, and give the benefits from the 14 trace minerals.
• Reduce vet bills up to 75%
• Use in facial masks to absorb excess oils
• Added at a rate of 2% to pet food in the bag or bin. Prevents feed from getting stale or moldy.
• Fed to hogs or calves with scours - stops scours after one feeding
• Kills many bugs by dehydration-environmentally safe
• Use to dust animals and animal bedding
• Decreased mastitis
• Use in cat litter to absorb moisture and odors
• Lightly rub food grade diatomaceous earth into pets coat and bedding
• Mix into soil for a soil conditioner. Will retain over 6 times its weight in moisture and will release it as the plants need it. It may also help with nematodes.
• On lawns, will retain moisture and prevent drought damage. Adds nitrogen to the soil.
• On camping trips. Dust the ground where you intend to place your tent and camp area.
• Converts feed better
• Better coat and hoof condition
• Promotes shinier coats
• Reduces overall animal stress
• Colon cleanser
• Helps detox heavy metals, e-coli, bacteria, viruses, etc.
• Completely safe and non-toxic
• Stimulates basic metabolism
• Antifungal properties – good for garden fungal growth
• Dust under and behind appliances, in window sills, door thresholds and in attics and walls
• Used in seed and grain storage to keep dry and mold free indefinitely. Will allow seeds to sprout after years in storage.
• On lawns, will retain moisture and prevent drought damage
• Keeps fly larvae from developing in manure, noticeably reducing the fly population. (Neighbors no longer complain about flies)
• In cattle- increased milk production
• In cattle- decreased mastitis
• Rub it onto bug bites and Poison Ivy or Oak, relieves the itch. Use dry or make a paste.
• Sprinkle the ground liberally on and around tree trunks, also may be painted with a mixture of DE and water.
• In food animals and dairy cattle- no withdrawal prior to use of products

Customer Reviews

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Re: Smoothies
by Bulk Herb Store on May 13, 2013

I was not able to find any suggestions that it would not be OK to take with other supplements/proteins, so personally, I would prob. take it with the other stuff. You could do a search on Google and see if you can find anything about each of the other herbs you are using and whether it's OK to take with DE or ask a natural medicine practitioner!

Re: Fleas?
by Bulk Herb Store on May 10, 2013

For fleas, the most effective method would be to dust externally on their skin. You can also put some in their food for parasites etc.!

Re: De powder and g6pd deficiency
by Bulk Herb Store on May 10, 2013

I am not familiar enough with that deficiency that I could tell whether or not it would be safe to use the DE. I would advise asking a natural medicine practitioner or Dr. who would know more about it.

Re: While breastfeeding
by Bulk Herb Store on May 3, 2013

From what we have read it seems to be fine to take while breastfeeding.

Re: diatomaceous earth and bentonite clay
by Bulk Herb Store on May 2, 2013

From what I have found Diatomaceous earth has been said to soak up other nutrients so I would not take it with the clay because it has vital minerals in it that the body needs.

Re: fossil shell flour
by Bulk Herb Store on May 10, 2013

I would sprinkle it on their skin every day or as often as needed.

Re: pregnancy?
by Bulk Herb Store on Apr 18, 2013

From what we have read, it seems to be safe.

Re: Use on cat and kittens
by Bulk Herb Store on Mar 29, 2013

I would try dusting them with it, and also add to their food. You can find dosages on the DEP page above.

Re: Diatomaceous and Pregnancy
by Bulk Herb Store on Mar 18, 2013

DE (Diatomaceous Earth) can cause some detoxing in the body so its best to be careful with it and ask your health care provider before taking it since you are pregnant. Personally "I" would take it but just be sure to start in a small amount and work my way up. But as far as I have researched there seemed to be no danger.

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